NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



787 



Merodon equestris. By A. J. Bliss (Gard. Chron. Oct. 18, 

 1913, p. 268). — Further particulars about the life-history of Merodon 

 equestris, especially as to duration of life-cycle and manner of entering 

 the bulb.— E. A. B. 



Mine Timbers, The Preservation of. By E. W. Peters (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., Forest Service, Bull. 107, May 31, 1912). — To secure the 

 most authentic information on the efficiency of various methods of 

 preserving mine timber from decay, the Forest Service has carried 

 out a number of investigations, which have been conducted (1) to 

 determine the best methods of treating timber used for mining purposes, 

 and (2) to determine the durability of treated and untreated timber 

 in actual service. — A. D. W. 



Morania corallina (Bot. Mag. tab. 8527). — Family Palmaceae, 

 tribe Areceae. Columbia. Palm. Stem erect, slender, 12-20 feet 

 high. Leaves few, 6-7 feet long, pale green. Inflorescence dioecious. 

 Flowers very small. Berries globose, § inch across, many on a large 

 panicle, scarlet. — G. H. 



Mushrooms, Insects Injurious to. By C. H. Popenoe (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., Bur. Entom., Circ. 155, Oct. 1912 ; 7 figs.). — The insects 

 which usually attack cultivated mushrooms may be roughly divided 

 into four classes, viz. mushroom maggots, mites, springtails, and 

 woodlice. The most injurious is the mushroom maggot (Sciara 

 multiseta Felt, et al.), which is the larva of a small two-winged fly. 

 Each female is capable of laying nearly 1000 eggs, which are generally 

 deposited at the junction of the stem and cap. The larvae feed on the 

 mushroom for seven to ten days, and after spinning a slight cocoon 

 pupate just beneath the surface of the soil. The pupa stage lasts 

 from four to seven days. 



All mushroom houses should be constructed so as to permit of 

 effective fumigation, and should also be fitted with light screens of 

 fine wire gauze to prevent the ingress of the adult flies. Nicotine 

 appears to be the best fumigant. 



Woodlice (Armadillidium spp. and Porcellio spp.) often do con- 

 siderable damage to mushroom beds. These may be trapped by 

 laying about the beds pieces of cut potato plastered with Paris green 

 on the cut side. Or the house may be fumigated with hydrocyanic 

 gas.— 7. G. J. 



Narcissus Flies. By R. S. MacDougall (Jour. Bd. Agr. vol. xx. 

 No. 7, pp. 594-599). — A description is given of the Large Narcissus 

 Fly, Merodon equestris Fab., and a resume of what is known of the 

 history and habits of the pest and the best methods of dealing with it. 



The Small Narcissus Fly, Eumerus sirigatus Fin., is also briefly 

 dealt with, and mention is made of larvae of Sciara and of several 

 species of Mycetophilidae having at different times been found in 

 decaying bulbs. — A. S. 



3 F 2 



